Chris Shea

Chris Shea grew up in Watertown and raised his daughter there with his wife, Anita.¹ They now live in Cheshire with their dog, Lucy.¹ His working life has included both Navy special operations and the North Haven Fire Department, where he is a firefighter.²

He entered the Navy as a hospital corpsman in 1991 and later completed SEAL and Special Forces medic training.¹ His military biography lists assignments involving intelligence work in the former Yugoslavia, operations in Afghanistan and service at the American embassy in Mexico City.¹ He retired from the Navy in January 2024 after more than three decades of service.¹

Shea earned a bachelor's degree from Charter Oak State College and has worked as a firefighter since 2009, becoming a North Haven lieutenant.¹ He also founded Hero to Hero, a nonprofit that helps military veterans consider a second career as first responders.²

His campaign proposes lower energy costs and taxes, fewer regulatory barriers to housing, stronger border enforcement and additional support for law enforcement.³ He also wants easier access to veterans' health care and benefits, alongside more employment opportunities for people leaving military service.³ On November 3, he faces Democratic incumbent Jahana Hayes for Connecticut's 5th District seat.⁴